Sticky Toffee Wedge from Costa Coffee features a moist, golden sponge cake drenched in rich, buttery toffee sauce, topped with a dusting of crumbly toffee bits, delivering a luscious blend of sticky sweetness and soft, tender texture.
Equipments
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
- Cake tin (wedge or round)
- Baking parchment or non-stick spray
- Oven
- Small saucepan
- Spoon
- Cooling rack
- Sifter or fine mesh sieve
- Knife
Ingredients
- Cake:
- 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- ¾ cup (120g) chopped dates
- Toffee Sauce:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Topping:
- ¼ cup (40g) toffee bits
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Ensure your dates are well-chopped and evenly distributed throughout the cake batter to achieve the signature moist texture of the Sticky Toffee Wedge. Butter should be softened to room temperature to blend smoothly with sugar, creating a creamy base essential for cake fluffiness. The toffee sauce requires careful simmering to combine the butter, brown sugar, and cream into a luscious, thick consistency without burning. Sifting the flour, baking powder, and baking soda together guarantees even leavening and prevents lumps in your cake. You can perfectly recreate the Sticky Toffee Wedge from Costa Coffee by following this copycat recipe, delivering the same rich, buttery flavors with sticky sweetness right at home.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven.
- Grease and line the cake tin with baking parchment or non-stick spray.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and light brown sugar using an electric mixer or hand whisk.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Mix in the sifted dry ingredients alternately with whole milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients.
- Fold in chopped dates with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and spread evenly.
- Bake in the oven until a skewer comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, combine butter, light brown sugar, and heavy cream in a small saucepan to make the toffee sauce.
- Stir over medium heat until the mixture melts, then bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer until thickened, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Let the baked cake cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes.
- Poke holes all over the cake with a knife or skewer.
- Spoon warm toffee sauce over the cake, letting it soak in.
- Sprinkle toffee bits on top.
- Optionally, dust with powdered sugar using a sifter or fine mesh sieve.
- Cut into wedges.
- Serve.
Substitution
This Sticky Toffee Wedge copycat recipe from Costa Coffee replicates the beloved moist golden sponge soaked in rich toffee sauce and finished with crumbly toffee bits for authentic taste and texture. If dates are unavailable, you can substitute with figs or raisins to maintain a similar chewy sweetness in the cake. When making the toffee sauce, use light brown sugar for its caramel notes, but dark brown sugar can work if you prefer a deeper flavor. Your cake tin choice affects final presentation; a wedge-shaped tin closely mimics the original, while a round tin may require slicing into wedges. To ensure even baking, line your tin with parchment or use non-stick spray to prevent sticking and aid in easy removal.
Tips
Ensure your softened butter is at room temperature for smooth creaming with the brown sugar, promoting a light and airy cake texture. When mixing dry and wet ingredients, alternate adding them starting and ending with dry ingredients to prevent overmixing, which can result in a dense cake. Poke holes thoroughly throughout the warm cake to allow the toffee sauce to fully seep in, enhancing moistness and flavor. Use a cooling rack to cool the cake briefly before pouring the toffee sauce to avoid melting the topping and to maintain that signature sticky texture you're aiming for.
Nutritions
Sticky Toffee Wedge from Costa Coffee is rich in calories due to its combination of butter, light brown sugar, and heavy cream in both the cake and toffee sauce. The inclusion of chopped dates adds natural fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to its nutritional value. This dessert provides a high amount of saturated fats and sugars, making it an indulgent treat best enjoyed in moderation. When you enjoy this sticky toffee cake, balancing it with a nutritious meal elsewhere in your day can help manage your overall dietary intake.
Storage
Store your Sticky Toffee Wedge in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain its moisture and texture. To extend freshness, refrigerate for up to 5 days, allowing the toffee sauce to thicken slightly without losing flavor. Rewarm gently before serving to restore the soft, sticky sweetness of the golden sponge cake and rich toffee sauce.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute chopped walnuts or pecans for dates to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the cake. For a vegan variation, replace butter with coconut oil and use plant-based milk, alongside a flax egg instead of chicken eggs. Instead of baking the cake in a wedge tin, try using a round cake tin for a classic presentation, and drizzle the toffee sauce over individual slices for easier serving. Enhancing the toffee sauce with a pinch of sea salt can also create a delightful contrast that accentuates the sweetness.
Allergies
This Sticky Toffee Wedge contains common allergens such as eggs, milk (including butter and cream), and wheat from all-purpose flour, which may trigger reactions in individuals with allergies to these ingredients. The presence of dairy and gluten means you should exercise caution if you have lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity. Always check ingredient labels carefully if you have food allergies to protect your health and avoid adverse reactions.
Why this recipe?
Costa Coffee's Sticky Toffee Wedge menu is beloved for its rich, moist sponge cake soaked in luscious toffee sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. The combination of warm caramel flavors with a hint of buttery richness delivers a comforting dessert experience that stands out from typical coffee shop offerings. Your taste buds will appreciate the indulgent, gooey center paired with a crisp exterior, making it a crave-worthy treat. Attempting a copycat recipe allows you to recreate this signature dessert at home, capturing the authentic flavor and satisfaction Costa Coffee fans adore.